Hazel Boone Dance Studio in Canton MA Holding Open House Is your child interested in dance?  Maybe you're an adult and you're wondering if dance classes are the thing for you?  Or perhaps you've wanted to check out some of the local performances but cannot commit to an entire recital?   Well, if you have answered yes to any of the above, the Hazel Boone Dance Studios in Canton MA has just the opportunity for you!  On this Saturday, June 9th, the Hazel Boone Dance Studio is holding an Open House.  This is the perfect place for new families to come an view the studio, chat with the teachers, meet some of the enthusiastic dancers and catch a quick performance.   There will be a free performance by the studio's pre-school aged dancers, by their Showcase Dancers, the Hazel Boone Dance Team ... 06/05/2012

Another Satisfied Homebuyer: Congratulations to the New Owners of 4 Pleasant Circle, Canton, MA   Congratulations to my buyer who closed last Friday on the purchase of their first home in Canton MA.     These young buyers knew that they wanted to buy a home in Canton MA and were referred to me through some mutual acquaitances from Canton.  We spent some weekends early in the Spring looking at homes for sale in Canton MA. They found this great move-in ready, four bedroom, two bathroom home, with beautiful hardwood floors and plenty of space.  This home even comes with beach and boating access to Reservoir Pond, located right at the end of their street.  The backyard offers a large square lot that offers a blank slate for their many anticipated landscaping updates. Located down the street... 06/02/2012

April 2012 Market Report for Canton MA   It has been in a busy spring in the Canton MA Real Estate Market.   For the period April 1, 2012 - April 30, 2012, there were 16 single family homes sold in Canton MA*.  The lowest priced home sold for $209,000.00 and the highest priced home sold for $892,500.00, for an average sales price of $409,844.00. Compared to the same period in 2011, there were only 9 single family homes sold in Canton MA.  The lowest priced home for April 2011 was $260,000.00 and the highest price home sold for $1,125,000.00.  Not surpisingly, the average sales price for April 2011 was higher at $541,500.00.   Here is a comparison of single family home sales in Canton MA for the month of April. You can see that April 2012 saw the most home sales compared to the same mont... 05/19/2012

Last year Canton High Drama started the tradition of performing a children's musical.  Their production of "Free to Be You and Me"  was a big success last spring and so the tradition continues this year. This year, the Canton High School Drama Club is proud to present its Second Annual Children's Musical.  "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" will be performed on Friday, May 18th at 9:30 am and on Saturday May 19th at 2:00 pm at Canton High's Morse Auditorim. The show features Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally and the rest of the Peanuts gang - singing and dancing.  That's right...even Snoopy will be singing! The show is tailored to young audiences and is only one hour long.   At the end of the show, audience members can mingle with the characters and even have photo opportunities.... 05/16/2012

Canton MA Dancers Bring Home the Gold Twenty two Canton MA dancers from the Hazel Boone Dance Studio recently competed in the Dance Ovations competition held in nearby Norwood MA and brought home the Gold to Canton.     Teen dancers competed with their jazz number to "Footloose", their ballet routine from "Pirates of the Carribean" and their tap routine to "I've Got Rhythm" from the movie "An American in Paris."  All three of their routines earned them a Gold Medal Award.   The Hazel Boone Dance Team also competed in this competition.  They performed their "Happy Feet" tap routine.  You can see them in this photo* - in their penguin costume!  This  number earned them a High Gold Award at the competition. The Hazel Boone Dance Team is coached by 17-year old Kayla Costa, both a student at... 05/11/2012

Mother's Day Plant Sale in Canton MA to Support Problem Solving Teams Once again, the Canton MA Problem Solving Teams are heading to the International Problem Solving Competition to represent not only Canton MA, but the State of Massachusetts.  Five student teams recently won the State Championship and are on the road to Indiana to compete in the International Competition. The teams traveling to Indiana are a Fourth Grade Future Problem Solving Team (FPS), together with 4 Community Problem Solving Teams (CmPS).  The FPS Teams compete in a competition in which they are given a complex societal problem and have to use a specific six-step process to solve it.  The CmPS Teams have been working on projects throughout the year.  They identify problems in their communities and work out solutio... 05/10/2012

Canton MA Hazardous Waste Collection Day The Town of Canton has announced that its annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be on May 12, 2012, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the DPW Garage located at 150 Bolivar Street in Canton MA. This is your opportunity to bring in those things that cannot be safely disposed of in the regular trash collection and to make sure they are disposed of safely.   There is a small charge for each item to cover the cost of proper disposal. But it is a small price to pay to keep our town clean and safe from environmental hazards. Items that will be collected are:Passenger Tires - on Rim                             $7.00Passenger Tires - off Rim                                6.00Motor Vehicle Batteries                                     6.00Thermometers/Therm... 05/05/2012

2012 Annual Luce School Fun Run in Canton MA You know that spring is here because it is time once again for the Annual Luce School Fun Run in Canton MA. The 11th Annual Luce School 5 K Fun Run/Walk and Childrens Fun Run will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2012, starting at 10:00 am at the Luce Elementary School in Canton MA.  This event is run by and for the benefit of the Dean S. Luce School Canton Association of Parents and Teachers (CAPT) but is really an event for the entire Canton MA community.   The event was originally the idea of a couple of teachers who came to the CAPT to promote it as a fun event and not necessarily a fundraiser.  It has turned into a good fundraiser and a fun annual event in the Town of Canton.  The event kicks off at 10:00 am with the half-mile childrens run for... 05/02/2012

Canton MA Hansen School Presents Mulan Junior It is time again for the Hansen Elementary School's annual Fifth Grade Play. As I have written about before, every year each elementary school in Canton MA puts on a play.  This is not a typical kids play where the lines are fed to them and it is done during school.  It is performed on the "big stage" at Canton High, with sound, lights and the works.  Earlier in the year I wrote about the JFK's Fifth Grade Play and the Luce School's 4th and 5th Grade Play. This weekend, it is the Hansen Elementary School's turn.  This year they are performing Disney's  Mulan, Jr.  Performances are Friday May 4th and Saturday May 5th at 7:00 p.m. at Canton High's Morse Auditorium.   This is sure to be a great family event.  Younger students enjoy seeing their... 05/01/2012

2012 Annual Town Meeting - Canton MA 02021 It is time once again for Annual Town Meeting in Canton MA.  Call me a geek, a political junkie or someone who needs to get a life....but I look forward to it every year!   For those who do not know, Canton MA has an Open Town Meeting form of government.  There is a five-member Board of Selectmen who run the town and oversee the town administrator, but the legislative body is made up of the citizens of Canton.  All registered voters in Canton MA are eligible to attend and vote at the Annual Town Meeting. Annual Town Meeting commences this coming Monday, April 30th at 7:30 pm at Canton High's Morse Auditorium.  It runs until approximately 11:00 pm and runs every consecutive Monday and Wednesday until all items in the 100-plus page Warrant have b... 04/29/2012

April 2012 Update for the Canton Food Pantry! The Canton MA Real Estate Market may be picking up.  But, I am here with my monthly reminder that the Canton MA Food Pantry still needs your donations. The Canton MA Food Pantry provides an invaluable service to many members of our community who are struggling. They rely on the donations and support from the Canton community. Luckily, the citizens of Canton MA always come through for them - as they do anytime they are asked for help. The Canton Food Pantry sends out a monthly email to its subscribers, letting them know what items they are most in need of for the current month. Each month they stress that all donations of any kind are always welcome. If you would like to get on the list you can email the food pantry and ask to be put on the l... 04/27/2012

Buyer Tips for National Open House Weekend The National Association of Realtors has designated this coming weekend, April 28 & 29 2012 as National Open House Weekend.  In light of that upcoming event, I thought it would be timely to re-post my Open House Tips for Buyers. There is always much debate surrounding open houses and whether or not they are a good way to sell  a house.  I have attended many open houses with buyers and have had buyers purchase homes they have viewed at an open house. However, buyers should be aware that the agent at the open house represents the Seller.  Their job is to sell that house - and if not, to find buyers to work with as new clients. Sometimes buyers go into an Open House and fall in love with the house and decide this may be "the one." I find it's best... 04/26/2012

Another Satisfied Homebuyer: Congratulations to the New Owners of 5 Heritage Lane, Canton, MA!   On Friday, April 13th, one of my buyers closed on their first home at 5 Heritage Lane, Canton, MA.   We saw the home at its first open house at the end of January.  Having looked for a little while, these buyers knew what they wanted and made an offer right away.  Finding ourselves in a multiple offer situation, my buyers made a strong offer and had their offer accepted. Located in a lovely neighborhood, this 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom single family home in Canton MA will make the perfect home for this young family, who just had their first baby weeks before the closing. With a beautifully updated kitchen, family room with a great fireplace an a large back yard to run around in, they are sure to ... 04/23/2012

Movie Night at the Village Shoppes in Canton MA It has been school vacation week here in Canton MA.  We have had unseasonably warm weather and it has been a great time for the kids to get out and enjoy their week off.    On Saturday April 21, the Village Shoppes in Canton is holding an outdoor movie night....what a fun way to round out vacation week.   The movie being shown is "Muppets -  The Movie".  The show starts at 7:30 p.m.   Location is on the grassy lawn area near Starbucks at the Village Shoppes located at 95 Washington Street in Canton MA. Bring your own chairs and blankets.   I hope the nice weather holds out for all the kids!   If you would like to find out more about life in Canton MA and Canton MA Real Estate, contact your Canton MA Buyer Broker. 04/20/2012

Another Satisfied Homebuyer: Congratulations to the New Owner of 454 Moraine Street!   Last week, one of my buyers closed on her dream home at 454 Moraine Street in Brockton MA.  It is a large home, with a lot of character that you find in older homes, but it is going to take a lot of work to restore it to its former glory.  However, she saw the potential that this house had and decided this was the home for her.     She has to be one of the most patient buyers that I have worked with as she was purchasing a short sale and taking out a FHA 203(k) renovation loan to handle the repairs and upgrades.  We signed an offer in September 2011.  In the end of February 2012, Bank of America finally issued its short sale approval, good through the end of March.   As we approached closing, the Sell... 04/14/2012

Canton MA Market Report - First Quarter 2012   2012 has been very busy for the real estate market in Canton MA.  There are a lot of buyers out looking.  Let's see if that activity shows up in the numbers.   For the period January 1, 2012 - March 31, 2012, there were 26 single family homes sold in Canton MA*.  The lowest priced home sold for $270,000.00 and the highest priced home sold for $855,000.00, for an average of  $474,951.00.   The breakdown of homes sold in each price range is shown below:     Interestingly enough, for the same period in 2011, there were also 26 single family homes sold in Canton MA, with a low price of $150,000.00 and a high of $1,225,000.00 and an average sales price of  $500,227.00.  That million dolllar home drove the average numbers up for that period.   So... 04/12/2012

What to Expect From Your Home Inspection Home inspections....recommended for all purchases.  Buyers want to know that there are no major defects in the home they are buying - no one likes hidden surprises.     But here's the thing.  Unless you are buying new construction, do not expect the home to be perfect. All homes have ongoing maintenance requirements that are a part of home ownership. There are bound to be some small issues in every home, no matter how well maintained.  If you expect a perfectly clean bill of health, you are sure to be disappointed.   The home inspector will point many items out to you and to be sure, they are items you will want to consider repairing.  Do not assume, however, that the Seller will repair every matter brought up by the home inspector.    When you d... 04/07/2012

Canton MA Girl Scouts Yard Sale Are you a bargain shopper?  If so, this is your lucky weekend. The Canton MA Girl Scouts are holding their annual multi troop yard sale this weekend on Saturday, March 31st at 9:00 at St. John The Evangelist School.  A variety of troops and individuals will have tables so there is sure to be a wide variety of items for sale. The will be toys, bikes, household items, spring decor and more.  Maybe you can find some goodies to put in those Easter Baskets.   Proceeds from each table will go to the troop or individual sponsoring the table.   They will also be taking donations for Cradles to Crayons.  You can visit the Cradles to Crayons Website  to find out what items are needed. Yard sales are a sure sign of spring.  Kick off Yard Sale season at this multi tr... 03/29/2012

March update for the Canton Food Pantry! Spring is here but the Canton MA Food Pantry still needs your donations. The Canton MA Food Pantry provides an invaluable service to many members of our community who are struggling. They rely on the donations and support from the Canton community. Luckily, the citizens of Canton MA always come through for them - as they do anytime they are asked for help. The Canton Food Pantry sends out a monthly email to its subscribers, letting them know what items they are most in need of for the current month. Each month they stress that all donations of any kind are always welcome. If you would like to get on the list you can email the food pantry and ask to be put on the list. I find it useful. The week that I receive the email, I put a few of the items o... 03/26/2012

Another Satisfied Homebuyer: Congratulations to the New Owners of 562 Norfolk Street, Holliston, MA   Congratulations to my buyers who closed on Friday on the purchase of a home in Holliston MA.     Their home search started late last fall and they were focusing on homes for sale in Sharon MA.   They were not finding exactly what they wanted so expanded their search to Holliston MA - a little bit out of my normal coverage area but I knew we would find what they wanted. And, in fact, they did find what they wanted and have closed on the purchase of their first home.  This family of four are now moving out of apartment living and into a three bedroom colonial, with a nice big yard to run around in, and a community with good schools and lots of open space and recreation. I wish this young ... 03/25/2012